Australian Open to make golf history with equal billing and prize money for men and women

• Women's and men's events to play side by side in Melbourne
• Karrie Webb hails big step forward in pursuit of gender equality

Golf history will be made when players tee off on the opening hole of this year's Australian Open with the men's and women's events to be played at the same time and at the same venue.

They will be the first recognised national Opens to feature the women's and men's tournaments side by side, with an equal share of the minimum $3.4m prizemoney on offer to fields comprising 144 men and 144 women.